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Chisholm Effect: Basic laws of frustration, mishap, and delay

1st law of human interaction. If anything can go wrong, it will. Corollary: If anything just cant go wrong, it will anyway.

2nd law. When things are going well, something will go wrong. Corollary: When things just cant get any worse, they will. Corollary 2: Anytime things appear to be going better, you have overlooked something.

3rd law. Purposes, as understood by the purposer, will be judged otherwise by others. Corollary: If you explain so clearly that nobody can misunderstand, somebody will. Corollary 2: If you do something which you are sure will meet with everybodys approval, somebody wont like it. Corollary 3: Procedures devised to implement the purpose wont quite work. Corollary 4: No matter how long or how many times you explain, no one is listening.